Megan Wereley (Education)
First Year Seminar Proposal
Fall 2003

What roles do teachers play in the lives of children? How has that role changed throughout history? Has there been a teacher who has been particularly important to you? What is it about these teachers that make them so memorable? What makes an effective teacher? In what ways has this definition been modified as the needs and values of society have changed? In this seminar, we will explore the changing images of teachers in our society utilizing excerpts from popular film and television. Some examples of these excerpts include Stand and Deliver, Dead Poets Society, Dangerous Minds, Little House on the Prairie, The Simpsons and Boston Public. In addition to reviewing popular media, we will also explore how “effective teachers” are defined by government agencies and local community groups (such as those sponsoring “Teacher of the Year” awards). Class discussion will be supported by readings that include scholarly journal articles, biographies of notable teachers, film and book reviews as well as other related texts. This seminar includes an information literacy component that will allow students to gain hands-on experience using a variety of reference resources including government and historical documents as well as other databases available in our libraries. Emphasis will be placed on using these resources in conjunction with developing strong writing skills.